Obituary: Robert Albert Fred Kirchhoff, 74

Monday

Apr 22, 2013 at 2:08 PMApr 22, 2013 at 4:03 PM

Robert Albert Fred Kirchhoff, 74, of Avoca, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family and being well taken care of by Tabitha hospice on April 21, 2013. Robert was born on Sept. 10, 1938 in Rural Weeping Water to Fred John and Caroline Emma Sophie (Ludwig) Kirchhoff.

Robert Albert Fred Kirchhoff, 74, of Avoca, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family and being well taken care of by Tabitha hospice on April 21, 2013. Robert was born on Sept. 10, 1938 in Rural Weeping Water to Fred John and Caroline Emma Sophie (Ludwig) Kirchhoff.

He graduated from Avoca High School in 1956 where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the basketball and track teams. He was chosen as a delegate to the Cornhusker Boys State in 1955. His special interests included his Farmall tractors, Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette Shoots, woodworking, RV traveling, fishing in Minnesota, and his family. He was a proud grandfather of his military grandsons.

Robert married Marianna Linhardt on March 17, 1958 at Luther Memorial in Syracuse. He worked for Ford Van Lines, Lincoln, as a custodian of Avoca School, and as heavy equipment operator at Ash Grove Cement, Louisville. He was involved with the Teamsters Union, Boilermakers Union, and was a lifetime member of NRA.

He is survived by his wife, Marianna; sons Dennis and Lisa Kirchhoff of Avoca and Craig and Marilyn Kirchhoff of Weeping Water; grandchildren Brandon and Jessica Kirchhoff of Avoca, Brett and Emma Kirchhoff of Avoca, Desiree and SSgt Joshua Welter of Krickenbach, Germany, Matthew Kirchhoff and special friend Emily Widger of Lincoln, Cpl Jacob Kirchhoff of Bamberg, Germany, and Kathryn and Rebecca Kirchhoff of Weeping Water; great grandchildren Elliot and Kaleb Kirchhoff and soon to be baby boy Welter; special companion Daisy; brother Harlan and Belva Kirchhoff of Avoca; niece Cheryl and Lou Meek of Omaha; nephew Shane Kirchhoff and fiancé Mary Kinney of Otoe, niece Michele and Steve Mueller of Avoca; aunt Hilda Kirchhoff of Weeping Water; great nephews, great nieces and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Paul and Freda Linhardt, aunts, uncles, cousins and niece, Kim Kirchhoff.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on April 24 at First Lutheran Church (North Branch) in Rural Avoca. Burial will be at First Lutheran Cemetery (North Branch).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Avoca Sign Committee and Tabitha Hospice, East Region.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, from 1-9 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.